A six-year-old girl, Amaira, a Class 1 student, was killed after being crushed under the tyre of her school bus within the premises of BCM School, Sector 32, Chandigarh Road, Ludhiana, on Monday. The tragic incident led to massive protests by enraged parents and locals.
The girl was rushed to Fortis Hospital by school staff but was declared dead on arrival. Following the incident, her parents alleged gross negligence by the school and vowed not to cremate their daughter until their questions were answered and justice was served.
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The girl’s father, Anurag Sood, told police that the accident occurred inside the school premises, blaming the school principal and management for their negligence. Her uncle, Amit Sood, accused the school of tampering with evidence. “They cleaned the bloodstains, removed a CCTV camera covering the scene, and allowed the driver to flee. Where were the caretakers and bus conductors they claim to employ? We won’t cremate her until all those responsible are arrested,” he said.
An FIR has been registered against bus driver Simranjeet Singh, school principal DP Guleria, and members of the school management under Sections 281 (rash driving) and 304A (causing death by negligence) of the IPC at Division Number 7 police station. The driver has been arrested.
ACP (East) Sumit Sood said, “It was a horrifying accident, but some political activists are trying to dramatise the case ahead of civic polls. Prima facie, the child was crushed when the driver drove the bus forward after she alighted. The CCTV near the spot didn’t capture the incident, but all available footage has been seized for investigation. We assure parents of an impartial probe.”
School principal DP Guleria expressed condolences, calling it an “unfortunate incident.” He said, “Police have taken the CCTV footage. Five teachers immediately took the child to Fortis Hospital, but she could not be saved.”
The child’s grieving mother, Rupinder Sood, said, “This school should be shut permanently. They failed to take care of my daughter. She was killed inside her school. Initially, they told us she was only unconscious. When we reached the hospital, they told us she was gone. She was my only child.”
The incident has sparked outrage among parents and demands for stricter safety measures in schools. Investigations are ongoing.
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